A personal injury firm claims to have become the first of its kind to offer pupillage to aspiring barristers. North west firm Express Solicitors will hear applications for four pupillage positions in each of the next two years, and plans to increase this number in the future as caseloads increase.
The firm had to apply to be recognised as an authorised education and training organisation by the Bar Standards Board, and plans to use its status as a legal practice to give hands-on experience of advocacy for the entire year.
During their first six months, Express pupils will be able to exercise rights of audience and participate in court hearings (subject to satisfaction of specific criteria), which the firm says sets it apart from barristers chambers.
The firm says it hopes to ‘set an example’ to other law firms in developing its training opportunities for barristers.
Managing partner James Maxey said: ‘Being able to develop and nurture talented advocates to the next level is a privilege. It echoes our commitment to training and progression across the firm. There is a clear benefit of having in-house barristers working closely together with our lawyers throughout the lifespan of the cases. It provides a level of technical service to our personal injury clients that is unmatched by other large firms.’
Nyssa Crorie was hired in 2016 as the firm’s first in-house barrister and was promoted to partner three years later before being asked to build and ultimately lead the Express advocacy department.
She noted that the approach to pupillage provision is changing, ‘with key principles such as affordability, accessibility and flexibility deemed to be equally as important as the customary high standards of training’.
Express recently outlined ambitions to double the firm’s headcount to as much as 1,000 and consolidate its four offices in a 40,000 sq ft space in south Manchester.
Maxey has said the group’s aim is to reach £60m turnover within five years and it plans to spend £12m over that period on digital and traditional marketing.
